Best Indoor Generator Review and Buying Guide

The issue of electricity is an acute issue for all survivors and those who think about emergencies. Power outages are something that periodically happens, even in large and modern cities. That means you need to be prepared for such a course of events.

If you have few to zero survival skills and prepping is an unknown word for you, the easiest way is to buy a generator. Moreover, your generator must be suitable for indoor use to apply safely in an apartment or house. A gas generator can be a solution, but unfortunately only suitable for open air. In addition, you will have to have additional fuel for it. That, you see, is not very convenient for an apartment in the city.

Do not despair, and there is a solution! These are indoor generators. They are designed for safe use in indoor spaces such as apartments. Their great advantage is that they do not emit any smoke and do not need fuel. Such portable power stations are excellent backup means in the event of a power outage. You don’t need any special survival gear to mount and use them. Some of them are solar-powered, which greatly simplifies the charging process.

Good generators for homesteaders don’t come cheap, but luckily, this purchase only needs to be made once. We will tell you what you need to look for when buying and show the best models for reasonable prepping that exist on the market at the moment. Consider getting best extension cord for your indoor generator.

If you need a quick response, you can check out this indoor generator:

5 Best Indoor Generators On The Market

As a reminder, these are the kind of indoor generators that we think are great options and work well for most situations. We do not know what kind of situation you are in, so you can choose another portable power station. But by citing these models as an example, we can be confident in their quality, reliability, and functionality. We tried to find the best indoor generator for each of the most common causes. We also reiterate that all of these models have pure sine wave energy.

1. Ego Power+ Nexus Indoor Generator

This Ego Power+ Nexus portable battery power station is one of the best options for those looking for not the most expensive yet powerful thing. This power station can work both as an outdoor generator and as an indoor one, as it can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Pros

• Comparatively not expensive
• Weather-resistant
• Good power to weight ratio
• High power output

Cons

• No charging with solar panels
• Low battery capacity

So, this can be a good option to power up household electronics. But unfortunately only for a short time. This power station is not designed for a continuous power outage.

A big drawback is a failure of connecting to the solar panel, and this greatly limits the possibilities of its recharging. At the same time, the battery itself, although of good quality, is not particularly capacious. If you need high power output, then even with additional batteries, you will not fully satisfy this request.

While this backup power supply option has significant limitations, it can be a quality generator for short-term power outages.

Check the Nexus price here.

• Weight: 30,62lbs and additional batteries
• Continuous power: 2000 W
• Max power: 3000W
• Battery Capacity: 840 Wh

2. Jackery Explorer 500 Indoor Generator

This is a great portable power station if your budget is tight. For those who are not yet ready to spend a fortune on an indoor generator, this option will be one of the best.

Pros

• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• Easy to move
• Lightweight
• Attractively affordable price

Cons

• Charges quite slowly
• Small battery power

The Jackery Explorer 500 is a good model for those looking for a portable generator that can be easily taken with you (for instance, a great option for camping) or as a second power station for small appliances.

With it, you can charge your smartphone (enough for about 50 charges) or laptop (about 7 times). Also, it is good to use it for recharging a mini-fridge or a car refrigerator and a CPAP machine.

This model takes a long time to charge. A full charge will take either 8 hours from the AC outlet or 14 hours from the solar panel.

According to our research, we can reliably say that this is the best model for this sum of money.

• Weight: 22 lbs
• Continuous power: 1000W
• Max power: 2000W
• Battery Capacity: 1002Wh

3. Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Indoor Generator

A model for those who want to get the most of the energy and are willing to pay for it. This power station is capable of powering not only small appliances but also heavyweights and high-powered appliances like full-fledged refrigerators.

Pros

• High battery capacity
• Charging with solar panels
• Wifi connectivity
• Various charging ports (USB-C port)
• Possibility to connect additional batteries

Cons

• High price
• Heavyweight
• Difficulty in moving

This is not a portable generator in the full sense of the word. It is not easy to move around the house, and if you have to take it somewhere else, you will need a trolley on wheels or something like that. However, it is a great indoor generator for those looking to provide maximum power to their daily necessities.

For clarity, we can say that its power is enough to recharge your laptop about 50 times fully or to power a full-fledged refrigerator for 50 hours.

You can use it for smaller items, and then the power will be enough for an even longer period.

You have the ability to increase the storage capacity. To do this, connect lead-acid batteries to the generator.

It is worth mentioning that the device also provides charging using Goal Zero’s portable solar panels. Thanks to the inbuilt solar charging optimization module, the charging time is dramatically reduced by 40%.

This power station is equipped with 10 charging ports so that you can charge multiple devices at once.

Of course, you will have to pay a lot of money for Yeti for all this beauty.

• Weight: 68,6 lbs
• Continuous power: 1500 W
• Max power: 3000W
• Battery Capacity: 3075 Wh

4. Jackery Explorer 1000 Indoor Generator

The Jackery Explorer 1000 has good power for its weight and size. You can easily put it in your car for a long trip or when evacuating.

Pros

• Portable
• Good power output
• Robust case
• Light-weight
• Works with solar panel

Cons

• Not suitable for high-wattage appliances

This emergency power generator can easily power small items like a laptop, a CPAP machine, car vacuum but won’t fit large appliances like a refrigerator or a heating system. It saves enough power to charge your laptop about 11 times.

Its lightweight allows you to easily move it around the house or move it to a new location. At the same time, the case is strong enough, but it is not recommended to drop or hit it.

There are even more charging ports here than necessary — there is one quick charge USB port, two USB-C, and three AC outputs. But we do not recommend using them all at once, and continuous output power is not enough for this.

The most direct competitor of this model is the Goal Zero Yeti 1000. However, they have significant differences that can be decisive based on the requirements of the situation. The Yeti 1000 is a much heavier model, making it less portable. But surge capacity and battery are better and more efficient.

You can check the product price on Jackery.

• Weight: 22lbs
• Continuous power: 1000 W
• Max power: 2000W
• Battery Capacity: 1002 Wh

5. ECOFlow Delta 1300 Indoor Generator

Perhaps ECOFlow Delta 1300 is one of the best generators on the market today, which is totally worth its money. This is far from the most expensive model, but the price-quality ratio is much better than that of other products. In addition, you will get a very stylish design that will fit into any interior.

Pros

• 13 charging ports
• Faster charging process
• Holds a charge up to 1 year
• High power output
• Stylish modern design

Cons

• Quite noisy when working

Let’s start with two main features — high-speed charging and the ability to hold a charge for a really long time.

You can fully charge this indoor generator with solar energy in just 4 hours. It will take a little longer under non-ideal conditions. A full charge from the mains should be passed through even faster. Just 1.7 hours, and your emergency backup power generator are charged. This is much faster than other models, especially in this price range.

The device can hold a charge for up to one year. Nevertheless, we advise you to check its working and battery status more often.

Yes, its weight does not allow it to be moved very easily, but it is a portable indoor generator that you can effortlessly load into your car and transport to a new location.

As for the ports for charging, then everything is also on top here. There are two USB ports and six AC outlets. More than enough.

You may notice that its capacity is significantly less than, for example, the Yeti 3000. But do not forget that the short recharge time makes the ECOFlow Delta 1300 more useful. And its power is enough to charge even powerful electronic devices.

You can check the product price on EcoFlow and Amazon.

• Weight: 30,9lbs
• Continuous power: 1800 W
• Max power: 3300W
• Battery Capacity: 1260 Wh

How Do Indoor Power Generators Work?

The generator can include several components — a battery, a cooling fan for temperature control, a pure sine wave AC outlet, and so on. The most important of these parts is, of course, the battery. The power station charges the rest of the devices with a pre-charged battery (just like outdoor generators do with gas).

Most often, indoor use generators have three options for recharging them:

• With solar panel
• Using AC wall outlet
• With car battery via DC power port

Distinctive Features of Indoor Generators

According to some indicators, indoor generators are still inferior to traditional gas generators:

• Limited power, you may need multiple generators.
• Their price is higher, and you need to spend money on additional solar panels.

But in our opinion, their advantages allow them to win the competition:

• First, their use is independent of weather conditions. Rain and gusty wind will not prevent you from turning on your indoor generator, while some outdoor generators may not work in this kind of weather.
• Their workflow is completely silent, which is important for those who want to go unnoticed.
• They are intended for indoor use, not just outside.
• You can easily put the portable power station anywhere and move it as needed.
• There is no need to constantly buy fuel and, accordingly, waste space on its storage.

What To Look For When Buying Indoor Generator?

Below we will present you the best indoor generators in our opinion, but to choose the perfect generator for you, you must rely on your situation and initial data.

1. Inverter

A bit abstruse, but important information. Your indoor generator should be safe for your electronic devices. For this, the portable power station uses a direct current to alternating current converter (DC to AC). Look for an indoor generator with a pure sine wave inverter. Sometimes it is also called a true sine wave inverter.

All portable indoor generators listed in our article meet this requirement and are pure sine wave power stations. But if you are looking for a cheaper model, you may stumble upon a device using a modified sine wave. Unfortunately, this will be less effective.

2. Charging Ports

This is something that many inexperienced users forget to pay attention to. The portable power station must have output ports that will work with your devices. Don’t run after quantity. You are unlikely to charge multiple devices at once, as there may simply not be enough power for this. The best option would be to take an indoor generator with several USB ports and one or two AC outlets.

3. Price

Of course, everything almost always comes down to money. Study the market average and determine your budget. Buying an internal generator will require a lot of investment from you. You can either allocate a larger budget for this, or you can reduce your requests. For instance, you can take affordable indoor generators with a smaller power and battery capacity.

In any case, be sure to buy a quality portable generator because it should not let you down at a critical moment.

4. Portability

If it is important for you to be able to move the generator and take it with you, then choose the smaller and lighter portable generators. Unfortunately, this will also negatively affect its power supply, so don’t get too carried away. Stop at some kind of compromise.

OR if your budget allows, purchase multiple models. One is more stationary. The other is intended for movement and evacuation.

5. Recharging Options

If indoor generators don’t use gas, how do they work? You can charge their internal battery from the mains, but naturally, this is not enough. We need an alternative power source. Think in advance about how it will be more convenient for you to recharge your indoor generator.

There are several options:

• To use solar panels, this method is considered by many to be the most reliable and inexpensive.
• Use a cigarette lighter in your car, but this will only work for small portable indoor generators and power banks.
• To use a wall outlet.

6. Battery Capacity and Power Output

These are some of the most important indicators when choosing the best indoor generator. It depends on them how much energy you have and what devices you can power from the indoor generator.

You need to pay attention to the following indicators:

• Ah or Wh for battery capacity
• Watts for power output

A useful feature will be the ability of some indoor generators to connect additional batteries to them. This will help provide more power to your portable power station. If you are interested in such a feature, pay attention to Goal Zero’s Yeti range. These power stations usually provide this option.

How Much Power Can You Have from Indoor Generator?

Until power outages happen, we don’t even think about how much we rely on electrical appliances and how often we use them. From our smartphones to refrigerators, without them, we will be left without communications, food, light, and medical equipment. Therefore, having a power station is very important for a modern person who takes care of themselves and their loved ones.

How do you determine how much electricity you might need? Let’s say right away, using indoor generators, and you are unlikely to be able to satisfy your needs fully. You will have to draw up a priority list. Well, or buy several emergency power stations.

To begin with, we recommend calculating how much energy your electronic devices consume daily. To do this, make a list of all your devices and write down how much energy they need. This information is usually given on the labels attached to them.

The usual list contains the following items:

• Lighting equipment
• Kitchen equipment
• Refrigerator
• Computers and laptops
• Smartphones and smartwatches
• Heaters
• Radio equipment
• Medical devices like CPAP machine
• Sump pump

How to calculate?

We advise you to draw up a priority list. Decide what you can’t do without and what you can exclude. A good way to save energy is to unplug appliances when not in use.

So that you have some starting figures, we can say that the average house spends about 5000-7000 watts only on essential appliances. This is a fairly large figure, and to fully satisfy it, several indoor generators are needed. If you take one of the best and most powerful portable generators, it will only cover 3000Wh. This is Yeti 3000 power station.

If your budget allows you to purchase several portable power stations, we recommend using one for kitchen appliances and the other for other needs. And be sure to use it in order of priority for your devices.

Best Indoor Generator Summary

Perhaps every business person or even teenager now has a power bank for their smartphones. So why not go ahead and take care of an emergency source of energy for your home. The best option for an apartment would be to buy an indoor power station.

Referring to our article, make a list of what you are looking for in a station in order of priority. Consider the average electricity consumption of your appliances and find the product that works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

Can a generator be used indoors?

There are different types of generators. Usually, your outdoor generator cannot be used in an enclosed space as it uses gas. It might just be dangerous. However, some indoor generators may be intended for outdoor use as well. Their body is reinforced and protected in case of emergency weather conditions. Look for a special mark on the equipment case.

Can you get a generator for an apartment?

The indoor generators are intended for use in apartments. To choose the right model for you, you should pay attention to how much power you need for your appliances. Other important factors in the selection — cost, size, charging options (the optional solar panel is a big bonus), battery, and power metrics. Choose models with pure sine wave inverter. In our article, you will find the best indoor generators currently on the market.

How long does an indoor generator last?

It depends on the performance of the specific indoor generators. If we talk about the average indicators, then this is 1500-3000 hours.

For instance, ECOFlow Delta 1300 can hold a charge for up to 1 year. This is a striking figure; however, we recommend checking its supply power and status from time to time. Also, this great power bank can recharge very quickly. Charging with the solar panel will take about 4 hours, and with the AC wall outlet, only 1.7 hours.

How much backup power is needed for a Water Heater?

The water heater is a device with very high power usage, so it is ideal not to use it in an emergency. On average, they consume between 1125 and 4500 watts, depending on the model. You can feed it from a generator. In this case, a small indoor generator will not help you, and you need a larger model with the ability to be powered by an optional solar panel.