Last updated on December 11th, 2023
In this day and age, it’s hard to imagine life without electricity. How else do you survive without your phone, cooker, or HVAC system?
Well, with a portable generator of course. While portable generators come in great handy when the power goes out, it is quite unfortunate how most homeowners wait for emergencies such as natural storms, to shop for one – buying in haste more often than not results in unexpected scenarios.
The long and short of it is, you want a reliable, powerful, and durable generator to get your home or business up and running again.
If this is the case, one brand instantly comes to mind – Predator. The truth of the matter remains, Predator generators rank among the most sought-after models in the niche and it’s not that hard to see why.
Besides cranking out unfathomable amounts of power, these generators are extremely easy to maintain thanks to their low-cost parts.
We’ll have a look at the top three Predator generators in the market, but before we do, let’s dwell on the features to look out for when buying a portable generator. Enjoy!
Features to Look Out For in the best Portable Generator
As earlier mentioned, buying a generator in haste translates to bypassing essential features that you’ll end up regretting when it’s all said and done. Luckily for you, we’ve got you covered.
Knowing your power needs
Before parting with your hard-earned cash for any product, it’s worth noting that generators are sold by their energy output – usually in wattage. This basically means the more wattage a generator has, the better suited it is to power up large households or businesses. Start by identifying your power needs before rushing out to grab the first portable generator you come across. Common essentials you may want to consider are your HVAC system, the refrigerator, lights, cooker, and sump pump. In a nutshell, portable generators come in varied energy output, meaning you’ll have to find one that can produce enough energy for your needs.
Efficiency
The energy efficiency of a generator should in many ways serve as a deal-breaker. For those in the dark, a generator’s efficiency refers to the amount of energy produced per unit of fuel. With this, it is safe to assume that an inefficient generator will consume more fuel than energy produced – a bad investment more so for those with huge power priorities. Choosing a high-efficiency generator should not only save you some fuel but an extra charge in the long term.
Price vs. reliability
As you may have gathered by now, generators come at varied prices – even Predators – depending on their efficiency, energy output, and overall capacity. To get the best return on investment (ROI), you want a product that’s affordable and easy to maintain. If this sounds like something you already have, it’s probably because you own one of the Predator generators below.
Top Three Predator Generators on the Market
Predator 8750 Peak / 7000 Running Watts, 13 HP (420cc) Generator CARB Special
If you’re in the market for a do-it-all Predator gas engine generator, this is your safest bet. It not only packs immense power but also boasts plenty of premium features ideal for emergencies such as household powering, heating and cooling, job site use, recreation, and lawn and gardening. Being the largest of the pack, this 7000-watt monster delivers more than enough power to handle just about anything.
For starters, can you imagine it boasts two 240V power plugs unlike most models featuring 120V options? Well, if you thought that’s it, how about the fact that you get a whopping 60 A running current, six power outlets, and 12 hours of runtime? In a nutshell, this high-powered machine can be used for just about anything from starting up low-powered devices at home to charging huge appliances for recreation applications outdoors
The fact that this is one of the most high-powered generators on the market likely means most users won’t be able to maximize its full potential. However, it is your safest bet if you are planning on powering an entire RV off a capable generator. While it runs effectively on an electric start with recoil back up, the battery required to start the electric function isn’t included in the comprehensive package meaning you’ll have bought it separately.
All in all, this 7000-watt generator is quite huge – what else would you expect from a monster boasting unfathomable capacity? In short, you’ll have to look elsewhere if portability ranks high on your list of priorities. Also, worth noting is you get a low oil indicator to warn you when it runs dry, and a low oil shutdown feature just in case you aren’t close by. When it’s all said, few generators on the market come close to matching the sheer power, capacity, and premium features entailed in this product.
Advantage
- Has the longest run time of all Predator generators – 12 hours at 50% capacity.
- Perfectly engineered with premium features that make it one of the most user-friendly, high-powered generators.
- Powered by a durable and reliable Predator engine.
- Packs an efficient 13 HP/ 420cc air-cooled gas engine.
- Sturdy steel frame to protect all components from damage.
- Built on a tried and tested platform.
- Boasts a whopping 7000 watts of continuous power output.
Disadvantage
- Fairly loud compared to smaller Predator generators.
- Heavy and bulky.
- Battery for an electric start has to be bought separately.
Check Price on Harbor Freight Tools
Predator 4000 Peak/3200 Running Watts, 6.5 HP Predator Engine Generator EPA III Special
While the Predator 4000 serves as the least powered and smallest electric motor in the brand’s lineup, it is still a highly reliable machine that will keep your fridge from defrosting, lights from flickering, and your AC from malfunctioning. In a nutshell, it boasts an array of helpful features that should come in handy if the grid goes off.
This little monster is extremely user-friendly thanks to several well-thought-out features. For instance, you get a top-mounted tank complete with a sufficiently large fuel cap to prevent unnecessary spillage. Moreover, the low oil indicator, switches, receptacles, and circuit breakers, the control panel is easily accessible and properly laid out. Overall, it is a pretty simple product that’s extremely easy to clean – the carburetor and spark plug.
With a runtime of 10 hours, you can expect nothing but the best from this 3200-watt generator with 26 amps of current. You get five outlets to get you all powered up for domestic needs at home– four 120V and one 240V socket. In a nutshell, this is the generator you want if lighting up your home and powering up small appliances and electronics is all you need. The only drawback has to be the lack of an oil drain plug to make your maintenance easier. You” basically have to use a funnel with a large spout to pour in the oil.
Advantage
- Extremely user-friendly and easy to clean thanks to a well-thought-out layout.
- Easy-to-access control panel with plenty features stacked onto it.
- Sufficient runtime of up to ten hours – quite impressive for a low-powered unit.
- Sufficient amount of outlets – four 120V and one 240V.
- Efficient 212cc/6.5 HP air-cooled Predator gas engine.
Disadvantage
- Lacks an oil drain plug to make pouring oil in and out easier.
- Quite heavy for a low-powered unit of its caliber.
Check Price on Harbor Freight Tools
Predator 2000 Peak / 1600 Watts 2.8HP Portable Inverter Generator CARB & EPA III
Designed to serve as a secondary option, this portable generator boasts an optional RV-ready parallel kit capable of delivering a whopping 4000 watts of pure power. Unlike the products above, the Predator 2000 Generator adopts innovative inverter technology intended at producing clean power meant for sensitive appliances and electronics. In short, it is the most efficient generator on our review and hence, one of the most sought after.
By just looking at it, you can tell that it is something special. There are no dangerous edges to worry about or open components prone to damage. What you see straight out of the box is what you get – a well-built, reliable generator with a sleek paint job and flawless design overall. To mitigate the risk of damage, it packs a heavy-duty steel roll cage intended at covering all components.
If portability ranks high on your list of priorities, this is the generator to invest in and for several valid reasons. For starters, it boasts a lightweight, compact design that makes it ideal for several domestic uses including camping, fishing, and RVing just to name a few. Despite its lightweight nature, the unit sports a protective, heavy-duty casing crafted from sturdy material. Overall, the unit’s comprehensive design is quite impressive, to say the least, and you’ll likely fall in love with it from the get-go.
The Predator 2000 is a simplistic generator designed to make the most out of your powering needs. You get sufficient run time of up to six and a half hours, electronic overload protective features, and a low oil indicator to warn you when it runs dry. In a nutshell, this uniquely-built product boasts a highly functional design that most users find easy to use.
Advantage
- Comes with an overload protection feature to keep your appliances safe from damage.
- Boasts a portable, lightweight design ideal for outdoor use.
- Extremely easy to clean and maintain thanks to a user-friendly design.
- Aesthetically pleasing unit with the unique design.
- Impressive run time of up to 6.5 hours.
- Clean energy production enhanced by inverter technology and Predator engine.
Disadvantage
- Few outlets compared to the other generators above.
- Takes time to get it revved up.
The main drawback is it requires subtle priming to get it started and more often than not, you’ll have to rev it up more than once. Also, you may face some challenges getting it started in cold climatic conditions. Overall, though, this is your safest bet if you are in the market for a portable generator to serve your domestic needs.
Check Price on Harbor Freight Tools
Benefits of Using a Portable Generator
Backup power for homes and businesses
Power outages may last from a few hours to a few days depending on varied factors and this can be problematic for households and businesses alike. Without proper sewage flow, basements can flood and without electricity, food can spoil in warm refrigerators. The only way to avoid such inconveniences is by having an emergency backup with a Predator generator.
User-Friendly
All Predator generators are extremely easy to use. Unlike conventional generators featuring sophisticated designs, the Predator line packs a specialized carburetor, which is larger than usual to facilitate a quick start. All you have to do is first flip the switch, follow through by turning the huge lever to the left and finish off by pulling the cord – voila!
Easy maintenance
Most generators require great effort, time, and resources when it comes to maintenance; not the Predator line though. The parts are not only easy to find but also extremely affordable. Predator generator components can be found in all leading stores countrywide.
Final Verdict
Overall, investing in one of the Predator generators above would certainly be in your best interest if you are in the market for a viable backup solution. We’ve thoroughly tested all products in the Predator line and the generators above emerged as our top candidates for obvious reasons. They are the most sought-after products in the niche and those with the most positive reviews.
If you are working on a tight budget, we recommend you go for the portable 2000 model. Those with major power priorities should go for our top pick boasting up to 7000 watts of power. All in all, you could do a lot worse with other generators other than the Predators above. Good Luck!
