Generator Brand Reviews:
Honest, Side-by-Side
Comparisons
We’ve reviewed every major home generator brand so you don’t have to. No sponsored content, no dealer relationships — just the facts to help you choose right.
Which Generator Brand Should You Buy?
For most homeowners, the answer is Generac. They have the widest dealer network, the best parts availability, solid build quality, and competitive pricing. The Guardian series in the 16–22kW range is the most commonly installed home standby generator in America for good reason.
But Generac isn’t right for everyone. If you want the quietest, most refined machine — and don’t mind paying a premium — Kohler is the answer. If you’re budget-conscious and buying a smaller unit, Briggs & Stratton earns real consideration. And if you have a large home with high power demands, Cummins deserves a look.
Here’s the detailed breakdown on each.
Generac
Generac controls roughly 70% of the home standby generator market — and for good reason. Their Guardian series offers an excellent combination of reliability, features, and pricing that is difficult to beat at the 16–22kW range where most homeowners land.
What We Like About Generac
The Mobile Link app is genuinely useful — it gives you real-time monitoring, maintenance reminders, and alerts when your generator runs. The weekly self-test runs automatically so you always know the system is ready. Dealer and service network is the best in the industry, which matters a lot if you ever need a service call.
Generac’s 5-year limited warranty covers the whole unit and is backed by an extensive authorized dealer network. Parts are widely available and service technicians are easy to find in virtually every market.
What to Watch Out For
Generac had some reliability issues with certain units in the 2018–2021 timeframe that generated negative reviews online. Newer units (2022 and later) have addressed most of these issues. As with any generator, proper annual maintenance is critical to long-term reliability — skipping oil changes will cause problems with any brand.
Best Generac Models for Homes
- Generac Guardian 16kW (7228) — Best for homes up to 2,500 sq ft. Most popular model. ~$4,500 unit price.
- Generac Guardian 22kW (7043) — Best for larger homes and whole-home coverage. ~$5,500 unit price.
- Generac PowerPact 7.5kW — Budget option for essential circuits only. ~$2,000 unit price.
Kohler
Kohler makes a noticeably better machine than Generac. The build quality is a step up — heavier gauge steel, tighter assembly, quieter exhaust. If you’re spending $10,000+ on a generator installation, the extra $1,000–$2,000 for Kohler over Generac often makes sense.
What We Like About Kohler
The RCA™ (Remote Capacity Add) controller is excellent — clear display, intuitive menus, solid remote monitoring. Kohler generators run measurably quieter than comparable Generac models. Enclosure fit and finish is tight and premium-feeling.
Kohler’s 5-year warranty matches Generac, and their commercial-grade engineering heritage (they make engines for everything from tractors to industrial equipment) gives real confidence in long-term durability.
What to Watch Out For
Kohler’s dealer network is smaller than Generac’s — in rural areas especially, finding a certified Kohler installer can be harder. Expect to pay 15–25% more than a comparable Generac. For many homeowners that premium is worth it; for budget-conscious buyers, Generac is the better call.
Best Kohler Models for Homes
- Kohler 14RESAL — 14kW, great for smaller homes. ~$4,800 unit price.
- Kohler 20RESCL — 20kW whole-home coverage. Most popular Kohler residential model. ~$5,800 unit price.
- Kohler 26RCL — 26kW for large homes. ~$7,200 unit price.
Briggs & Stratton
Briggs & Stratton is a well-established engine manufacturer that makes reliable standby generators at prices that undercut Generac and Kohler. Their 10–17kW units are a solid choice for homeowners with smaller homes or tighter budgets.
What We Like About Briggs & Stratton
Price is the headline — Briggs units typically run $500–$1,500 less than comparable Generac models. The Symphony II whole home management system is a standout feature that lets a smaller generator handle more circuits by managing load intelligently. Good for homeowners who want more coverage without stepping up to a larger unit.
What to Watch Out For
Briggs & Stratton filed for bankruptcy in 2020 (since reorganized under new ownership). This raised legitimate concerns about long-term parts and warranty support, though the company has continued operations. Dealer network is thinner than Generac — verify there’s a certified service provider in your area before buying. Some homeowners report a steeper learning curve with the Symphony II system.
Best Briggs Models for Homes
- Briggs & Stratton 10kW (040375) — Entry-level whole-home option. ~$2,800 unit price.
- Briggs & Stratton 17kW (040629) — Best mid-range Briggs unit. ~$3,800 unit price.
Cummins
Cummins is one of the world’s leading engine manufacturers — they make diesel engines for everything from semi-trucks to data centers. Their residential generator line brings that commercial-grade engineering to home backup power.
What We Like About Cummins
Build quality and engineering are top-tier. The QuietConnect series is exceptionally quiet for its output level. For large homes (3,500+ sq ft) or homeowners with unusually high electrical demand, Cummins has the range to cover it. Their engines have a reputation for lasting decades.
What to Watch Out For
Cummins has a smaller residential dealer network compared to Generac — in many suburban markets, finding a Cummins-certified residential installer takes more effort. For average-sized homes (under 3,000 sq ft), a Generac or Kohler will do the same job for less money. Cummins shines at the high end of the market.
Best Cummins Models for Homes
- Cummins RS20A — 20kW, excellent mid-large home coverage. ~$6,000 unit price.
- Cummins RS22A — 22kW QuietConnect. Premium whole-home option. ~$7,000 unit price.
All Brands Compared
Every major spec side by side so you can make the call quickly.
| Feature | Generac ⭐ | Kohler | Briggs & Stratton | Cummins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Price range (unit only) | $2,500–$6,000 | $3,500–$8,000 | $2,000–$4,500 | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Available sizes | 7.5–150 kW | 8.5–150 kW | 10–20 kW | 13–150 kW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 3 years | 5 years |
| Wi-Fi monitoring | ✓ Mobile Link | ✓ RCA Controller | ✓ Connected | ✓ PowerCommand |
| Dealer network | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Largest | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Noise level (approx) | 66 dB @ 23ft | 63 dB @ 23ft | 66 dB @ 23ft | 62 dB @ 23ft |
| Best for | Most homeowners | Premium buyers | Budget / small homes | Large homes |
How to Choose the Right Brand for Your Home
Choose Generac if…
You want the best combination of value, support, and availability. You live in a suburban or rural area and want to make sure you can find a service technician easily. You’re buying a 16–22kW unit for an average-sized home. This is the right call for most homeowners.
Choose Kohler if…
You want the best machine money can buy and noise level matters to you. You’re investing $12,000+ in the full installation and the incremental cost of Kohler over Generac feels justified. Your installer is Kohler-certified and can confidently service the unit.
Choose Briggs & Stratton if…
You have a smaller home and a tighter budget, and you want a reliable unit without the Generac price tag. Verify there’s a certified service provider in your area first.
Choose Cummins if…
You have a large home (3,500+ sq ft) with high electrical demand. You want commercial-grade engineering and don’t mind a smaller dealer network. You’ve verified a Cummins-certified installer is available locally.
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