Best 12000 Watt Portable Generator That You Can Take Anywhere!

After the recent cyclone last week, my neighbourhood has been experiencing frequent power cuts.

It has proved to be quite troublesome with no one knowing when the electric supply will be restored. I was often short of water for cooking and with my husband and the dogs in the house, it was proving to be challenging to manage the situation.

It was then that my elder son suggested that I should buy a generator. It was a brilliant idea, and I wasted no time in going to the market and purchasing a 12000-watt unit. After that, I have been more than able to deal with these trying times.

Meanwhile, my neighbours started coming up to me for help in choosing a generator of their own. I realised then that there might be many people who may not know how to pick the right unit.

Hi! I'm Stacy Smith, and I have reviewed the 5 best 12000-watt portable generators for your convenience.

Without further ado, let’s get straight to the deets.

Top 5 Products

While grappling with power loss, my son advised me to buy the Westinghouse Portable Generator. After purchasing a new product, one doesn't know how it'll perform, but from the first day, it delivered smooth output. Such is its effectiveness that I was able to make my son his favourite raisin cookies, thanks to the powerful performance.

Why Buy This Product?

First and foremost, you get two versions of the model – the gasoline and the propane variant. With gasoline, you get 9500 running wattage while propane generates 8500 watts. Whatever your preference, it has enough power to take care of your tasks with ease. Moreover, it's straightforward to start, thanks to the remote.

Once operational, it can run for a maximum of 12 hours on a full tank of 6.6 gallons. The fuel helps to power the 4-stroke OHV Engine, which has several quality components like the cast-iron sleeve, adding to the durability. It, therefore, offers excellent reliability, and you don't have to worry about it abruptly breaking down.

Among the other inclusions is the automatic low-oil shutdown function, which keeps you protected and guards the product when the oil falls below safe levels. It also has a digital hour meter for more convenience and makes the entire process user-friendly. It's relatively easy to use with the plug and play function, making it manageable.

Furthermore, it includes a battery charger as well to prevent any interruptions and provide a seamless experience. Due to the detailed instructions made available with the tool kit, it's easy to set up, and you don't have to spend much time with installation.

What Could've Been Better?

It's slightly heavier given the robust nature, and I always need my husband to help if I want to move it around. Consequently, if you want a lighter unit, you should look elsewhere. Another thing I've noticed is that the machine is quite loud compared to the other generators in the neighbourhood and people usually know when I'm using it.

Amidst the blackout, one of the elderly neighbours came up to me and asked for help in choosing an affordable model. Having done my research, I picked out the DuroMax Generator for him, and since then, he always has a big smile on his face. It delivers enough power for him to carry out most of his jobs.

Why Buy This Product?

Straight off the bat, the Duromax OHV Engine delivers 18HP, making it powerful enough for most purposes. You get a hassle-free operation, thanks to the 12000 starting wattage and a running wattage of 9500. As a result, it delivers exceptional versatility with the ability to handle heavy loads like lights, refrigerators, air-conditioners and high-power tools.

It comes with the DuroMax MX2 technology, allowing you to use multiple receptacles at the same time. They operate at 120V each to ensure that you can use the unit simultaneously at 120V or 240V depending on the task at hand. Should you want, you can also use it at full power on 120V without compromising performance.

Furthermore, it's safe, and the low-oil sensor automatically shuts off the unit when the oil falls below dangerous levels. It keeps the components along with the central unit protected and prevents any untoward incidents.

When not in use, it lowers the RPM, thereby saving fuel and making the whole process highly efficient. Consequently, you have the option of using it for short bursts throughout the day. Likewise, it reduces the noise level, which is sure to please your neighbours.

What Could've Been Better?

I had to help the older man set it up because of the poor instructions, but even I had to stop a couple of times to see if I had followed the steps correctly. I also made it a point to remind him that the model had plastic wheels, so he should be careful while moving it around.

There may be many quality products, but different people have different needs. Mr Michaels in my neighbourhood switched three units before one day I met him in the market and asked him to give the A-iPower Generator a try. It was perfect for his large family, and he was able to continue a part of his business from the yard.

Why Buy This Product?

Firstly, you can use either the gas or propane version and effectively switch between the two, thanks to the digital control pad. It makes the entire process more manageable and at the same time, adds to the user-friendliness. The control pad helps you choose between a runtime of 9 hours at maximum load or for 16 hours at 50% load.

You can use it depending on the job at hand, making it incredibly versatile. In that regard, it'll please you to see the maximum wattage for the gas version at 12000W while the propane variant offers 10800W. And to control the power, you get an electric start function, meaning you don't have to spend much energy.

It also has the customary low oil shut down function, but A-iPower has taken it further by including warning lights. So, you'll know beforehand when the oil falls below the danger mark, thereby enabling you to shut it down yourself. It keeps you protected and ensures the components remain in prime condition.

Finally, it comes with a wheel kit, making it easier for you to move it around without having to make any additional purchases. It's a highly affordable model, making for a valuable acquisition.

What Could've Been Better?

When I bumped into Mr Michaels again, he said the unit had performed well apart from the valves. He wasn't happy with the quality of the valves and got it replaced. Another thing he was disappointed with was the fasteners, and a perfectionist like him couldn't help but get it fixed though there wasn't any let-up in output.

My eldest son had always kept a generator handy, just in case he needed it for emergencies. So, when he was helping me pick out a unit, he happened to mention how he was still using the ENKEEO Generator. He said it delivers optimal output and he didn’t have to go a single day without electricity.

Why Buy This Product?

Right away, you'll notice the V-OHV engine delivering a stable performance, which allows you to get 12000W at peak level and a running power of 9000W. You can start it up without much effort due to the electronic start function, which has the added benefit of reducing vibrations.

It has a dampening system which reduces the noise even on heavy-duty jobs and is well complemented by the large muffler. So, both noise and vibrations aren't more than 105 dB, thereby providing a quitter workspace, which is sure to please your neighbours.

Furthermore, with the inclusion of the compact handles, you get much-needed comfort. You can move it quickly because of the sturdy tires. Talking about ease of use, I have to mention the side placed control panel. It's supported by the electric switch system, which makes the model incredibly user-friendly. As a result, it's highly maneuverable, even in difficult situations.

For those of you who are wondering, attention has been paid to safety as well - meaning it has most bases covered. The GFCI sockets have an electric leakage protection system while the exterior design is dustproof to prevent the entry of unwanted elements. Lastly, it's moisture-proof to ensure that it remains in prime condition for a long time.

What Could've Been Better?

One thing you should know is that my son is quite powerful due to his regular trips to the gym, so he doesn't mind the weight of the unit. For most other people, it may well seem much heavier than needed. Besides, it doesn't come with a shut-off function, which is a tad disappointing.

When a flurry of people started buying the All Power America Generator in my neighbourhood, I wanted to see what was going on. One of them, Mr Stevens, had spoken in glowing terms about the model. He hadn't faced any problems during the power outage, and so many more decided to test the unit's exceptional performance.

Why Buy This Product?

First and foremost, it comes in two versions like many of the other models but with a slight difference – it includes a gas and LPG variant. The gas version generates 9000W running power with a peak power of 12000W while the LPG version has a peak power of 9500W with the running power being 7250W.

The power is generated from the OHV air-cooled engine, delivering 18HP and a running time of 10 hours on 50% load. Moreover, with the 8-gallon fuel capacity, it can undertake various tasks with ease. And if you're worried about noise, I should tell you that it's incredibly quiet at 76 dB, making work more manageable.

Meanwhile, it has an electronic start function along with recoil start feature to reduce effort and make the entire process smoother. You'll be pleased to see the four AC outlets having a capacity of 120V. Both the 120v and the 240V outlets have a twist-lock feature, and you can use them simultaneously.

You also have the option of viewing the hour meter to keep an eye out on the performance ,with the flat free wheel kit making it highly portable. You can effectively take it from one spot to another, and the low maintenance ensures there's no need for frequent checks.

What Could've Been Better?

Some of my neighbours reported that the unit works fine, but they faced problems with the handle grip sleeves which keep sliding off. It means you may have trouble getting a firm hold on it. Plus, the wheels are made of plastic, so you should be very careful while you're moving it around.

Final Words

I hope you have a much better idea regarding 12000-watt portable generators and can make an informed decision.

Before signing off, I have decided to assist you a bit more by narrowing down my favourites in different categories. For the best overall performance, you can choose the Westinghouse Portable Generator, while the DuroMax Generator is incredibly durable. To know how to connect to a portable generator even without a transfer switch, check this guide.

And when it comes to power, there's none better than the A-iPower Generator. That's all for now. I have to get my garden back into shape. Until next time, Ciao!